- January 20, 2025
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A vital program to support a group of vulnerable residents — homeless veterans – earned a $1 million contract on Tuesday, May 3, from the Volusia County Council. The finances approved in the contract to support the project are coming from budgeted revenue freed up in the county’s general fund as a result of COVID relief money the county received from the federal government.
The council approved a long list of projects in February that were prioritized for financial support out of the funds the county is receiving from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA. The list includes community projects for things such as broadband enhancements, affordable housing, mental health and substance abuse, stormwater improvements and the establishment of a juvenile assessment center.
On Tuesday, the council finalized a funding agreement for one of the projects — $1 million to Halifax Urban Ministries to help pay for renovations to create a facility to provide temporary shelter and social services for homeless veterans. HUM already operates a homeless shelter for veterans in Daytona Beach. But it’s moving the facility about 3 miles away to the new site at 962 Derbyshire Road. The County Council rezoned the new, 2.35-acre site in April to pave the way for the homeless facility. Currently, there’s a fellowship hall, a single-family home, a church sanctuary and a community garden at the site. The plan is to renovate the fellowship hall and home on the property to create 20 private shelter residences.
Pursuant to the contract the council approved on Tuesday, the $1 million will be disbursed to HUM in four installments — $300,000 by June 15, $300,000 when the building permit is issued, $200,000 when construction is 50% completed and the final $200,000 installment when construction is 75% completed.
The County Council vote on Tuesday was unanimous.
